I'm kind of on the cheap side myself. I hate to have to order anything on-line, but will on occasion. I would rather buy locally so that when/if I run out of a product I'm not going nuts waiting on a shipment.

I spend very little on my conditioners (Suave and Vo5 $1-$1.50) mostly. I do get the GVP conditioning Balm ($5) on occasion. I don't spend too much on one conditioner because I go through it like crazy. If I need a deep treatment, I just add some goodies to the conditioners that I already have. So I can't see myself spending very much over $10 for and 8 oz bottle (that's just me).

I buy oils, although not pricey, and use these in my hair (directly) and in hair products...small bottles at a time.

I use shampoo/soap bars, DW and whipped soap which are all pretty inexpensive considering how long they last me. ($3-$8 )

As far as products, I've used and loved KCCC but cannot justify spending that much on one product (even if it lasts me 3 months), I get as good results with my homemade FSG which is really cheap to make. Any of the styling products that I have, I've gotten for a really good deal, like BRHG, and it lasts me forever. Don't get me wrong, I like DM, KCCC, etc. but unless it's a really great deal, I will make do with what I have. I also don't want my hair getting "hooked" on a particular product where I have to sell everything in my house just to buy it..lol.

I also am one that likes samples. I will not spend a lot of money on a product that I don't know if I will like until I can try it out for myself. I don't know how much money I have wasted in the past trying to find something that worked in my hair only to throw it away (kick..kick...kick!!), but I learned my lesson.

If it weren't for NC and LHC, I would still be looking for that perfect product. I think I'm finally getting to the point where I can keep my product routine very simple and fairly cheap......after I finish using up all the products that I bought since finding NC .

For Cowash I really like the tingly feel of tea tree oil based things (throwback to my poo days I supposes) so I will pay $3-ish for TJTTT. I also prefer more natural based products and try to avoid parabens as much as poosible so I pay more for condish etc. Now when it comes to stylers - eh, I have a pretty high upper limit. With years and years of daily blow-drying my curls straight I am willing to baby them now that I have started to figure out how to love them.

I agree with DEL about the longevity of products though - if I am going to shell out the bucks - it needs to last.

Sulfate & Silcone Free since July 2009
2C-3A normal to high (ends) porosity, medium texture, lower end of med density
Currently experimenting with Water Only Washing and dropping stylers

In my own personal experience, I seem to get better results from less expensive products. Or maybe it's because if I spend a lot on a product, I expect over-the-top perfection that NO product can deliver.
At any rate, the most I'd spend on . . .

shampoo ~ I use CV bars, which average around $6 - $7 and seem to last forever, despite the fact that I use them every day.

conditioner ~ my fave the past few months has been Herbal Essences Hello Hydration (the yummy coconut-scented one in the aqua bottle.) It's about $2.50 - $3 a bottle.

styling product ~ here's where I'm most likely to spend more $$. I love CK and tend to go through it pretty quickly. B&A gel is another staple, but the $20 bottle of gel seems to last considerably longer than CK, so it's a better deal, overall.

All that being said, during the brutally hot and humid months that are summer in the Gulf South region, I've mostly relied on scrunching conditioner in my hair and letting it air dry. My curl formation has been fair, and I've actually gotten quite a few compliments on what I consider 'bad hair days.' Go figure.

For Co-Wash: I would mostly stick with $1-$2 products, such as V05 or Suave. I'd probably never go over $3 for a co-wash, considering I would use so much of it.

Conditioner: Probably about $5-$6.

Styling products: Depends on it's reviews. If I heard of a product that got a lot of good reviews, I would pay up to $20 to try it. But if it got okay reviews...some love and some like but not so much, I wouldn't spend more than $10 to try it out.